Men's Lacrosse garners top honors from the IMLCA

Jun 23, 2017

AVON, Conn. – The Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) announced its 2017 Division III All-American Teams. Salisbury University was well represented on this year's teams as five individuals were recognized by the organization and the coaching staff was named the Coaching Staff of the Year. The maroon and gold were led by Nathan Blondino and Kyle Tucker, who were named the IMLCA Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively.

Blondino, who was named the IMLCA Mid-Atlantic Region's Offensive Player of the Year as well as earning player of the year honors from three other organizations, was also named to the IMLCA First Team. He turned in one of the most impressive seasons in Salisbury men's lacrosse history totaling 134 points, scoring 61 goals, and dishing out 73 assists. Blondino's 134 points match the best point-scoring season in Sea Gull history, matching the 1995 season effort of Jason Coffman.

Tucker, who was also a first-team selection, played a crucial role in the stiff Sea Gull defense helping them to one of the top defensive seasons in Division III Lacrosse. Salisbury ranked seventh in goals against surrendering a mere 6.70 goals per game. Tucker recorded 30 caused turnovers this season and scooped up 67 ground balls as well.

Joining Blondino and Tucker on the first team was junior defenseman Will Nowesnick. Nowesnick was spectacular for the Gulls on the defensive side of the ball causing a team-high 44 turnovers while scooping up 65 ground balls. He was also recognized by the IMLCA as a member of the Mid-Atlantic All-Region Team.

Two more members of the maroon and gold, Brendan Bromwell and Andrew Ternahan, rounded out the group as they were named to the second team. Bromwell helped lead the juggernaut Salisbury offense netting 32 goals from the midfield position while totaling 57 points for the season.

Ternahan proved to be a disruptive force on the defense finishing the season ranked second on the team in ground balls with 85 while adding in 34 caused turnovers.

The IMLCA also recognized Head Coach Jim Berkman and assistant coaches Justin Axel, Ben Sandlin, Knute Kraus, Jayme Block, Tom Cirillo, and Preston Dabbs as the 2017 IMLCA Coaching Staff of the Year. Salisbury collected its 12th national title under Berkman's guidance with a 15-7 victory over Rochester Institute of Technology. The Gulls also ranked in the top five in nine separate statistical categories.